The Retro Bathroom Trend Is Achievable Even In A Newer Home — Here's How

Move over, modern minimalist bathrooms — there's a new trend in town. Recently, designers have cautioned against bathroom remodels that involve tearing up that old tile or swapping your clawfoot tub for the subtle luxury of a rainwater shower head. Instead, they're encouraging homeowners to lean into the richness and warmth of retro bathroom design. Goodbye stark spaces, hello nostalgic charm. 

If you tend towards home design looks that are more chic than cozy — or if you've got one of the newer homes on the block — don't worry. This trend doesn't mean recreating your grandma's bathroom in your modern space. It's more about embracing character-filled retro elements like copper fixtures, unique tiles or woodwork, exposed plumbing, and freestanding bathtubs. By taking care to find the right vintage (or vintage-style) home decor elements and accentuating them with jewel tones and retro patterns, you can achieve a balance of luxury and comfort that will give your new home old-school warmth.

If you don't already have any existing vintage features in your newer bathroom and don't want to undergo a total renovation, adding wallpaper to your bathroom is an easy way to get the retro vibe going. Look for playful maximalist designs, like art deco fans or 70s-style florals or geometrics. Additionally, you can add quite a retro feel to a newer bathroom just by adopting a vintage-friendly color scheme. Choose a few rich jewel tones you'd like to incorporate, like emerald, navy, or ruby. These are staples of retro design, but also project a timeless aura, so they'll seamlessly integrate into your newer home. Areas you might incorporate them include a toilet seat cover, hand towels, an accent wall, or painted cabinets.

When you've added touches of color or some papered walls, you can add even more intrigue with statement vintage home decor pieces. An art deco mirror, a gorgeously framed throwback poster or piece of playful artwork, or funky retro sconces can instantly give the room a timeless upscale feel. If you are ready for a bigger project, turn to bathroom fixtures like freestanding bathtubs, patterned tiles, and brass or copper fixtures. Whether you find them at your favorite thrift store or get newer products with a vintage vibe, they can add a unique flair to even the most modern bathroom.

Designing your retro bathroom can be super fun — but don't get so carried away with aesthetics that you forget you have to use this space. Your newer home likely already has modernized plumbing and wiring, but make sure everything is up to speed if you've incorporated any new fixtures that rely on it. Keep practicality in mind, too. A freestanding bathtub is gorgeous, for example, but you might want to make sure you've still got a go-to shower for your regular washing routine.

Remember, too, that you're probably not working with tons of space (at least compared to a room like a kitchen or living room). If you add too much all at once, the room will feel more uncomfortably cramped than retro chic. Instead, incorporate a few key elements slowly, embracing their charm and warmth to design a space you'll love.